NHTSA Investigation PE13001

SmartPlex Multiplexer Module Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles may allegedly experience a SmartPlex electronic multiplexing switch hub module failure. This failure may result in inadvertent activation of accessory equipment such as external lighting, outriggers, crane, or power takeoff.By letter dated March 1, 2013, Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) notified ODI that it has initiated a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-074 and DTNA Recall No. FL-639) to address a safety defect in approximately 161 model year (MY) 2012 through 2013 Freightliner 108SD, 114SD and Business Class M2 trucks.The affected population was manufactured from December 3, 2011 through October 12, 2012 and originally equipped with a certain SmartPlex electronic multiplexing switch hub module with a suspect serial number. According to DTNA, unpassivated flux residue may be present on the printed circuit board assembly in the switch hub module. Under certain heat and humidity conditions, this flux residue may lead to intermittent short circuits, thereby activating certain outputs in the switch hub module.According to DTNA, they identified the issue with the switch hub module on vehicles undergoing the assembly process.DTNA states they have not received any customer or field reports related to the switch hub module.To date, ODI is unaware of any switch hub module failures on in-service vehicles.DTNA will notify affected owners by mail no later than April 29, 2013. Affected vehicles will be inspected and if the switch hub module is in the suspect range the module will be replaced.Repairs will be performed by DTNA authorized service facilities.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.